The Cayman Islands, a British Crown Colony, have no taxes whatsoever on income, profits, wealth or capital gains. The revenues of the Islands are derived from indirect taxes such as import duties and stamp duty. There never have been any taxes, so the absence of income tax is not an artificial absence created by legislation, but a natural one. Companies and trusts in the Cayman Islands enjoy the same tax-free status as individuals regardless of nationality of ownership. This absence of taxes, together with political and racial stability, has attracted the attention of investors seeking tax-free base for their operations. The Government of the Cayman Islands is aware it attractiveness to outsiders and actively encourages investment through the passage of legislation and development of the financial sector. In late 2000 the Caymans government reports that the world's fifth largest financial center (after New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong), saw a 51% increase in company registrations in the past year, with a total of 57,900 on file. 17 new banks were also registered, for a total of 465.